Vehicle Description
1955 Ford Thunderbird Roadster
Picture, if you will, a 1953 Ford Fordor sedan, sliced in half at
the B-pillar and welded together minus its entire rear door and
rear quarter area. The rearmost portion of the roof, including the
window, is awkwardly moved forward about three feet, and the entire
car finished in a rough fashion. This homely car was christened the
"Burnetti" after its creator, Ford engineer Bill Burnett, and was
designed to simulate the packaging of a European sports car for
American tastes; it was a major step towards creating what would
become one of America's most beloved and most collectible
two-seaters of all time-the original 1955-'56-'57 Ford
Thunderbird.
For consignment, version 1 edition 1 of the Ford Thunderbird. This
ragtop/hardtop, sports car was innovative for its time, and this
particular car has been restored about 20 plus years ago. It still
maintains its shine and is looking sharp on all fronts. A beautiful
interior is also retained, and the engine runs on a 12-volt system.
Some spare extra parts are available, and we are in rarefied air
with this year 1955 in such good condition.
Exterior
Starting upfront, we can see a beautiful original and mirror-like
bumper with mini "Dagmar" style bumper-ettes attached which take on
a jet engine-like appearance. Directly above is a well-preserved
egg crate grille, and flanking this on either side is a single
headlight. A long scooped hood rolls its way back to the passenger
compartment all bathed in Torch Red. The passenger compartment is
compact and is topped with a convertible top in black canvas and
sporting a clear plastic rear window. On back small fins float
above round taillights and point skyward with backup lights
inserted within, again emulating jet age design. Another clear
bumper this time the "Dagmars" house the exhaust tailpipes. A Torch
Red hardtop comes with this car also. Wide whites surround red
steel wheels which just make a small appearance on the edges of the
wheel covers. All metal is straight and has exacting gaps.
Interior
The curvaceous thick door panels are wrapped in red vinyl with some
white vinyl accenting, and a strip of machined aluminum through the
center. These are fairly clean, and look the part, as they melt
into the curved dash keeping the machined metal line through the
center. Power seat adjustments and power window toggles are in the
door panels. A fan style speedometer is above on the painted metal
red dash top and bottom. A near perfect bench seat complete with
red smooth bolsters and white tuck and roll inserts and seat belts,
and early option for Ford. Nice condition red carpet floods the
floors, and the original red and chrome horn ring steering wheel
fronts the pristine dash. A red tonneau cover is in the rear
storage area and awaits to cover the top when it is in the down
position.
Drivetrain
A 292ci V8 engine is in a clean and shiny engine bay. It is topped
with a 4-barrel carburetor, and a chromed air cleaner cover. Red is
reserved for the block, and shiny Thunderbird badged horizontal
ribbed valve covers add some more bling to the bay. A Ford 3-speed
manual transmission, Ford 9-inch rear, and a 3.56 rear axle and we
can complete the drivetrain.
Undercarriage
Very light surface rust on just a few of the suspension parts, but
the X frame, floor plans and rockers are really beautifully
preserved. Independent coil springs for the front, and leaf springs
for the rear make up the suspension and drum brakes are all around.
Beautifully preserved for its ripe age.
Drive-Ability
Not a ton of room in these early birds, but once in, they are
comfy. This car fired right up and took off for the test track
where it flew around in circles with ease. A strong accelerator,
and good stopper are also good qualities to have in such an early
car and they are working.
All in all, a wonderful example that has been restored a bit ago
but still retains its luster and charm. A convertible, and hardtop
assures you motoring throughout the year, although with a classic
as such I personally don't know whether you would be doing too much
winter driving. Either way you can soar through town, screech the
tires, and turn some heads...all the way around! Go Red!
VIN DECODE
P5FH199952
P-292ci V8 4bbl 198hp
5-1955
F-Dearborn, MI Assy Plant
H-Thunderbird
199952-Sequential Unit Number
WARRANTY TAG
BODY 40A-Thunderbird
COLOR R-Torch Red
TRIM B-Red & White
SCHEDULE 19D-April 19th
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.